India recovered after an early collapse to chase down 245 and qualify for the final of the U19 World Cup, with a 171-run partnership between Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas getting them over the line with two wickets and seven balls to spare.

South Africa scored 244-7 after they were put in to bat by India, who had never previously chased more than 227 in an U19 World Cup. Their innings then got off to the worst possible start when Adarsh Singh was out first ball to a vicious bouncer from Kwena Maphaka.

Having slipped to 25-3, India were in danger of not qualifying for the final for the first time since the 2014 edition of the tournament. However, after Priyanshu Moliya fell in the 12th over to leave India at 32-4, Saharan and Dhas came together to put on the match-winning stand.

Their 31-over partnership took the side past 200 and within 42 runs of their target before it was broken. Dhas was the main aggressor, scoring 96 runs off 95 balls including 12 boundaries before he was out to Maphaka four runs short of a century. Captain Saharan was the anchor in the chase. He scored 81 runs off 200 balls, despite further wickets falling to leave India 227-7 with 16 balls to go.

No.9 batter, Raj Limbani came to the crease for the final few overs of the chase, and hit a six off Riley Norton to reduce the equation to 11 needed off 13 balls. A four from Saharan and two wides from Nqobani Mokoena in the 49th over brought India closer, and Saharan was on strike with the scores level on Mokoena’s fifth ball.

However, he was run out attempting a quick single before being able to finish the job. A four from Limbani off the following delivery sealed the result, and meant India reached their fifth consecutive U19 World Cup final.

The second semi-final between Australia and Pakistan will be played on February 8, before the final on February 11 in Benoni.

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